Canon EOS R6: The Review

Canon EOS R6: The newest mid-range camera sets industry standards

We bet you know Canon 5D quite well, famous of its gadgets and great resolution. Or maybe you are a fan of the Canon 6D, which is everything we need in most of the cases?

It seems like Canon likes this path. Canon’s EOS R6 is the more affordable flagship of the RF lineup. And it’s a camera that sits in the 6-series as the mirrorless counterpart to the 6D Mark II. The EOS R6 is safe, but also a bit outstanding. Most notable, 4K 60 fps video, 20 fps burst shooting, Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, and in-body image stabilization. Along with several highlights features from the flagship 1DX series, with an attractive starting price. Canon aims this upper mid-range mirrorless camera at working pros and enthusiasts looking for an upgrade over the EOS R. But, for those wanting a more affordable option than their pricier EOS R5.

EOS R6 or EOS R5?

In our opinion the EOS R6’s specifications meet our expectations as dental photographers. Maybe it doesn’t set the record when it comes to pixels, but the record is just unnecessary. First of all, it makes the camera more expensive (like e.g. Canon 5D). What’s more, these photos will weigh more and take more space on your disc or computer, and working with them takes way more time. And, frankly speaking, the quality of lighter photos is perfect for everyday’s use in our industry! We’re sure you don’t like spending time on processing the 8K movies, when you can have them in 4K quicker. Most people simply don’t have the storage capacity or the power on their laptops to handle an 8K workflow – and right now, there aren’t a lot of places where 8K files can even be shared.

The Canon EOS R6 is a versatile all-round camera that can shoot pretty much anything. Aside from a few differences, it’s essentially an EOS R5 with lower resolution and less high-end video. And it is just enough! Who needs more? Maybe few of us, working with better systems, and that’s it. The EOS R6 is suited for majority of photographers. If you’re content with fewer megapixels, you’ll enjoy this camera and its features.

Things we like

• Excellent image quality in both Raw and JPEG and HEIF (a new format of saving more photos with the same resolution than . If you’re an iPhone fan, you might know it already). Note: HEIF is new to the market, so desktop software compatibility is somewhat limited.
• Impressive burst shooting rates (12 and 20 fps, depending on mode)
• The decent resolution, despite pixel count
• Reasonable battery life
• Good dynamic range
• Twin card slots
• The best in-body image stabilization is the best of any full-frame system

Thinks we don’t like 

• Non-optional noise reduction applied to Raw
• no quick way to engage HDR PQ mode

Summary

Is this a good beginner camera?

Possibly. It could be if it meets your budget and circumstances.
The Canon EOS R6 isn’t perfect, but it’s really good. It’s a bit on the expensive side at launch, but still not too expensive. The changes made are substantial over the EOS R. And given its current feature set, it’s a worthy long term investment for a beginner. However, it doesn’t offer much guidance, like Canon’s more entry-level bodies such as the EOS 100D. So, it’s better suited for an experienced photographer looking to upgrade from an entry-level camera. EOS RP can be a better option for a beginner.

Canon EOS R6 specifications:

• Body type – SLR-style mirrorless
• Sensor size – Full frame (36 x 24 mm)
• Max resolution – 5,472 x 3,684px
• Effective pixels – 20 megapixels
• Sensor photo detectors – 21 megapixels
• Sensor type – CMOS
• Formats – RAW, JPEG, RAW + JPEG, HEIF, HEIF + RAW
• ISO – 100-102400 (expands to 204800)
• Autofocus – Dual Pixel AF II with AI-trained subject tracking and 100% AF coverage
• Manual focus – Yes
• Max burst – 20 fps shooting with e-shutter, 12 fps mechanical
• Videography features – UHD 4K shooting at up to 60p, 1080 at up to 120p
• Viewfinder type – Electronic
• Lens mount – Canon RF
• External flash – Yes (via hot shoe)
• Stabilization – In-body stabilization rated at up to 8EV of correction
• Memory card slots – 2x UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC
• Battery – LP-E6NH lithium-ion battery & charger
• Battery Life – new battery rated at around 360 shots per charge (EVF)
• Size: 138.4 x 97.5 x 88.4mm
• Weight: 598g body only (or 680g with card and battery)

The R6 is available with a recommended price of $2499, body-only, while the R5 costs $3899 body-only.

Have you watched our online courses already? You can find various types of cameras for beginners and pros!